Local firefighters, police officers and EMTs encouraged the public to become heroes as UC’s Hoxworth Blood Center kicked off its Summer Lifesaver Challenge.

In an event held in the Hoxworth atrium on the UC medical campus, these public figures urged colleagues and the community to donate blood now through Sept. 11 as a way to keep blood supplies stocked for use in hospitals.

During the summer months, blood supplies tend to be lower due to an increase of vacations (smaller donor pool) and an increased use in supplies at hospitals due to injury during summertime activities.